YOUNG Tiverton boxer Matt Smith was unlucky to lose on his debut in Cornwall on Saturday night.

Matt lost a split decision against Warrington’s Bayleigh Smith after putting in a great performance.

Coach Paul Harvey said: “Matt’s a bit of a rough diamond. Smooth off a few of the edges and you will have a really good boxer.”

After a cagey first round the Tiverton boxer came on strong in the second, catching his opponent with some solid head shots. He then landed a straight right to the stomach causing the ref to give a standing eight count.

Harvey said: “Everyone thought that was it as the Warrington boxer’s body language was clearly portraying he had had enough.”

However Matt’s opponent was given a second chance when the bell for the end of the round immediately sounded.

Harvey added: “In the third both boxers gave their all but it was clear that Matt was clearly stronger landing the heavier shots.

“I thought Matt had just about nicked it, especially with the eight count, but sadly the judges thought otherwise.

Boxing in Torbay on Friday night at the Warriors nightclub, Tiverton’s Phil Pearce put in a really first class performance against Exeter’s Rob Hibbs but was on the wrong end of a split decision.

Harvey said: “Phil’s only been boxing six months and the improvements are there for all to see. It wont be long before he will be getting his arm raised.”

Tiverton’s Dan Greenwood won a split decision in a rematch with Torbay’s Patryk Konzak in a controversial bout.

The first round was frenetic as Konzak, roared on by the home crowd, swarmed all over Greenwood from the bell.

Greenwood was struggling to keep Konzak off but rocked him late in the round as Konzak had virtually punched himself out.

In the second Konzak again swarmed all over Greenwood who had to take a standing eight before being bundled to the floor.

Konzak punched Greenwood at least four times on the floor to get a two point foul deduction which cost him the bout although he was lucky not to be disqualified.

The third was the same with Greenwood struggling to keep Konzak at bay but all the Tiverton boxer had to do was see the round out to win the bout.

Tiverton’s Brad Riggs lost a unanimous decision against a relentless Jake Abraham of Paignton.